STSURV
0344JP
ROADS AND DEVELOPMENT SUB COMMITTEE ITEM 10
9TH MARCH 1987
A27 THE AVENUE, FAREHAM - IMPROVEMENT PROPOSALS MR 565062
REPORT OF THE COUNTY SURVEYOR
1. Introduction
1.1 A study of the traffic related problems of the section of
the A27 at Fareham, known as The Avenue, between the Railway
Station and a point just west of Bishopsfield Road (see Map
1) was undertaken at the request of Fareham Borough Council.
This follows the need to respond to a planning application
for development with access to the A27.
1.2 In addition, one of the junctions on this section of the A27
(Redlands Lane/Gudge Heath Lane) has also been identified as
being an accident black spot (Figure 1). As a result of
this an improvement scheme has been included in the Capital
Programme Preparation Pool for 1990/91 at a cost of
400,000.
1.3 This report sets out the various options that have been
investigated outlines the benefits/disbenefits of each and
makes appropriate recommendations.
2. Existing Conditions
2.1 TRAFFIC
2.1.1 This section of the A27 was detrunked following completion
of M27 around Fareham and now forms part of a County Primary
Route which still carries a large volume of traffic. A
recent survey (December 1985) revealed flows east and west
of Redlands Lane of 22,700 and 18,600 vehicles/12 hour day
respectively.
2.1.2 There are five side roads which give access to the
surrounding residential areas. Two of these, Gudge Heath
Lane and Redlands Lane join the A27 by means of a staggered
crossroads and carry 5,600 and 4,500 vehicles/12 hour day
respectively. There are currently two banned turns at this
junction, viz:-
(i) right turn into Redlands Lane; and
(ii) right turn from Gudge Heath Lane.
These moves can be made indirectly by means of U turns at
the roundabout east of Fareham Railway Station. At present,
vehicles travelling north on Redlands Lane experience delays
at the junction with the A27 especially during peak periods
due to the large volume of traffic on the A27. Redlands
Lane forms part of a minibus route between Fareham Town
Centre and Rowan Way (west of Peak Lane). On average there
are three buses per hour in each direction.
2.1.3 Further west limited queues and delays are also experienced
by the 2,200 vehicles/day emerging from Bishopsfield Road
into the A27.
2.2 Accidents
2.2.1 Over the last three years, there have been 39 accidents
involving personal injury on the A27 between the roundabout
at Fareham Railway Station and a point just west of
Bishopsfield Road. Eight occurred at the Bishopsfield
Road/A27 junction of which four involved right turning
vehicles, and fourteen occurred at the Redlands Lane/Gudge
Heath Lane/A27 junction of which eleven involved right
turning vehicles. This latter junction currently features
in the County's twenty worst accident sites. Three
accidents occurred at the Paxton Road/A27 junction all
involving right turning accidents. However, the gap in the
central reservation on the A27 at this junction has now been
closed and Paxton Road made one way south, thereby
preventing this type of accident in the future. At the
other remaining junction on this section of the A27, i.e.
Blackbrook Park Avenue, only one accident was recorded. The
remainder of the accidents appear randomly distributed along
the A27.
2.3 Pedestrians
2.3.1 There is a large number of pedestrian movements across the
A27 mainly arising from the adjacent schools and college.
School crossing patrols operate but there is no other
controlled crossing facility on this section.
3. Development Proposals
3.1 A planning application has been submitted to Fareham Borough
Council to construct 38 dwellings on land north of the A27.
Access to this development would be provided onto the A27
opposite the existing junction with Bishopsfield Road. This
development would generate approximately 200 vehicles/day (2
way).
4. Options for Improvement
4.1 The problem areas identified within this section of the A27
are safety and capacity at the principal side road
junctions, viz:-
(i) Gudge Heath Lane/Redlands Lane/A27;
(ii) Bishopsfield Road/A27.
4.2 The first option (a) investigated is the provision of a
roundabout at the A27/Bishopsfield Road junction and the
closure of the central reserve at the Redlands Lane/Gudge
Heath Lane junction so that vehicles would only be able to
turn left in/out of Redlands Lane and Gudge Heath Lane.
While this option would increase safety at this junction, it
would also divert/suppress the right turning movements
allowed at present.
4.3 A second option (b) has therefore been considered to
construct a roundabout at the Redlands Lane/Gudge Heath Lane
junction. This scheme would allow the right turn into
Redlands Lane which is currently prohibited and increase the
general safety at this junction. Some land would be
required for this option.
Another option considered for this junction was the
provision of traffic signals (option c). This would
increase the capacity and safety at the junction but like
option (b), some land would be required.
4.4 Finally, in conjunction with option (c) above and the
proposed development, the feasibility of a signalised
junction at Bishopsfield Road has been investigated (option
d). This option would increase the safety at this junction
and also allow the possibility of future linking of traffic
signals (UTC).
4.5 The table below summarises the benefits and disbenefits of
the options investigated for improving the junctions on this
section of the A27:-
5. Conclusions
5.1 The potential developer of the site north of A27 has
proposed a signalised junction to access the site which also
incorporates Bishopsfield Road. The design provides an
acceptable means of access, improves capacity and safety at
Bishopsfield Road junction and has adequate reserve
capacity. It would, however, by not allowing for U turns,
effectively prevent the adoption of a left in/left out
configuration at Gudge Heath Lane/Redlands Lane junction.
However, the elimination of right turns at this latter
junction is not considered desirable due to the volume of
the traffic which might in consequence be diverted, the
length of the diversion and especially the effect on the bus
route. This implies that there is a need to provide either
a roundabout or traffic signals at the Gudge Heath
Lane/Redlands Lane junction and then traffic signals at
Bishopsfield Road would be acceptable. It is therefore
recommended that the developer's offer to fund a traffic
signal junction at Bishopsfield Road should be pursued.
5.2 Each of the options for improving Redland Lane/Gudge Heath
Lane junction either have merits and disadvantages and the
choice between them is not clear cut on the basis of the
outline design work so far undertaken. It is recommended
that both options are progressed to allow more detailed cost
estimates and the extent of land take to be determined,
before the preferred option is selected.
It is, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
1. That an Agreement in such form as the County Secretary may
determine be entered into with Bovis Homes (South East) Ltd
for this developer to fund the improvement of the junction
of A27 with Bishopsfield Road, Fareham by the provision of
traffic signals at no cost to the County Council and for the
dedication of land requied for the future improvement of
A27.
2. That, subject to the completion of this agreement, Fareham
Borough Council be informed that there is no highway
objection in principle to the proposed residential
development of the site (numbers 44-52 The Avenue, Fareham).
3. That the scheme for the improvement of the junction of A27
with Bishopsfield Road, Fareham be included in the capital
Starts Programme for 1987/88 at no cost to the County
Council.
4. That options for the improvement of Redlands Lane/Gudge
Heath Lane/A27 junction are progressed to allow more
detailed cost estimates, and the extent of land take to be
determined, before the preferred option is selected.
0344J
(Document contains wide text. 0344j archived in Surveyors WP
Section)
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